Pulverizing or comminuting apparatus



C. E. TETLEY. PULVERIZING 0R commmunwc APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, I919.

Patehted Feb. 22,1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR G/MRLESfDW/NZE'HEK WITNESSES C. E. TETLEY.

PULVERIZING 0R COMMINUTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 1919.

1,369,061 Patented Feb. 22, 1921.

ATTORNEYS 67m 51 5550mm 7571.5 Y.

Patented Feb. 22, 1921.

a SHEETSSHEET 3.

INVENTOR CHARLESfDW/N EILEY.

ATTORNEY C. E. TETLEY.

PULVERIZING OR commmunue APPARATUS.

a mvwkhmkmm APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 1919.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES EDWIN TETLEY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

PULVERTZING OR COMMIN UTIN G APPARATUS.

Application filed July 10,

To afl whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES EDWIN TETLEY, a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Pulverizing or Comminuting Apparatus of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pulverizing or comminuting apparatus. The object of the invention is to provide new and improved apparatus for pulverizing or comminuting any materials to a very fine condition, which apparatus has a large capacity for its size, is of simple construction and can be operated by unskilled labor and at a low cost for power, which prevents by suction any escape of the powdered or pulverized material to the atmosphere, so that the plant is clean and free from dust and surrounding machinery is not injured or the health of the workmen impaired, and which has no parts inside of the apparatus needing grease or lubricant of any kind, thereby permitting the placing of a coiled or otherwise constructed steam radiator within the revolving drums supported at both, ends of the apparatus for drying out any moisture contained in the material to be pulverized.

The invention comprises the apparatus hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of apparatus embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, the fan being omitted; Fig. 3 is an end view-v looking from the right in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional plan -view on the line fr-4, Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional elevation, the fan being omitted; Fig. 6 is an end view fully assembled of the largest drum looking from the right in Fig. 5; F ig; 7 is a longitudinal sectional elevation, showing the several pulverizing drums separated from each other, and also showing a modification of feed material entrance; Fig, 8 is a sectional elevation of the largest drum fully assembled on the line 8--8, Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the left end of standard in Fig. 7, and showing the closure of air inlet gate or valve for the feeding end of the apparatus, the pulverizing drums and operating mechanism there Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 22, 1921. 1919. Serial NO. 309,932.

for being omitted; Fig. 10 is a similar view of the stationary stand showing the discharge end of the apparatus, Fig. 11 is a cross section of the smallest drum fully assembled on the line 11 11, Fig. 7; Figs. 12,

13, and 14 are respectively side elevation, end elevat on and plan view of a roller support; and Figs. 15 and 16 are respectively planand end views of a two wheel roller.

The apparatus shown in the drawings comprises a suitable number (four being shown) of independently rotatable pulverizing or comminuting drums 1, 2, 3 and 4, which preferably decrease in size successively from one end of the machine to the other and are arranged cessively into each other. These drums are each supported upon a pair of oppositely disposed antifriction members, shown as double or two wheel rollers 5, whose wheels engage annular surfaces on the drums and whose reduced shaft portions are journaled in upright pedestals 6 mounted upon a base 7 which rests upon the floor or other support. When the several drums are of different diameters, as shown, the pedestals 6 are of different heights to support the several drums with their axes in horizontal alinement with each other. By inserting shims underneath the pedestals 6, their height can be adjusted to bring the axes of the several drums into alinement. Each drum has an annular inner surface 7 which is concave and substantially semicircular in cross section, as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 7, one side wall of to discharge sucsaid surface being continued inwardly to-- ward the'axis of the drum so that the opening at the discharge end of each drum is of smaller diameter than-at its opposite end. Each drum, at its discharge end, is provided with an annular flange 8 surrounding its her shown as a solid or hollow ball 9 which is of a lesser radius than the curvature forming the inner surface of the drum and which is of a size corresponding to the size of its particular pulverizing drum.

The'operating mechanism for the drums is prefera l so arranged as to drive the drums at di erent rates of speed, those at the such as by a motor or by a belt passing over ifbelt pulley 9 on the shaft 9. The gears 9" increase in pitch diameter toward the discharge end of the machine. the small drums rotate ata higher rate of speed than the large ones- As-each drum is rotated the ball therein rolls around its inner surface by gravlty, passing over the particles or fragments of material in said drum, said material forming a bed in the inner surface of thedrum which will cause the ball to move from side to side and therefore cause it to spin or twist as well as revolve. This spinning motion will be in opposite dlI'GCtlOIiS according as the ball moves from side to s de over the bed of material, therefore grinding and crushing or pulverizing-the same by impact and twist. The materlal is suitably fed at a uniform rate into the first drum and as it is crushed therein'flows by suction over its annular flange 8 into the next drum and so on through the series of drums, emerging in a fine pulverulentcondltion.

In the operation of the machlne, especially when coalor fibrous material is being operated upon, some of the material may cling to the curved inner surfaces of the drums and be carried up over the pulverizing balls. Suitable means is therefore provided for re moving this material from the inner surface of each drum, the means shown consisting of a number of scrapers 10, one for each drum, whose serrated or sword edges are close to but not touching the inner surfaces of the drums,-and-which are supported near the top of each drum upon one side of.

a longitudinally extending inclined trough 11, supported'at its ends upon the fixed .frame or standards, as hereinafter described and shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 11. Underneath each of the first three scrapers, and supported thereby, is a short spout 11 which discharges the material dislodged by the scraper farther along into the trough 11. The trough 11 is provided with bottom outlets discharging into the second, third and succeeding drums of the series, so that the material carried up in the first drum is-delivered to the second, and so on. Suspended from the trough 11 are a series Consequently I of swinging plates 12, which form battles in mid air to the particles falling downwardly in the drums and partly restricting the openings leading from each drum into its neighbor and retarding the flow of the material through theapparatus so that it is held back and is ground to the finest possible condition.

Thefeeding end of the apparatus is preferably closed by a stationary end 13 whose outer periphery fits into but does not contact with the opening in the inlet end of the largest drum, and which ring is supported on a pedestal 14 carried by the base 7", and forms the support for one end of the trough 11. The end cover 13 has a circular opening at its center which is closed by a gate or valve consisting of two semicircular members hinged upon longitudinal axes 13 at two points at the top of the opening and there connected by inter-meshing gears 16. (See Fig. 9.) Either one or both of said members is provided with a handle 17 for opening the same. The gears 16 cause both members to move when either one is operated. These movable gates enable material to be introduced to the apparatus by hand, if desired, and also enable the interior to be inspected during the course of the grinding operation or for repairs or for other purposes. The most important function of the valves is to regulate the admission of air to the interior of the machine. The material to be ground is introduced to the apparatus in any suitable manner, such as through a pipe or conduit 18, which may I pass through openings in the gate members,

as shown in Figs. 5 and'6, or if desired, may pass directly through a stationary part of the end 13, as shown in Fig. 7.

At the discharge end of the machine the material pulverized in the smallest drum enters an annular stationary member 19, supported upon a pedestal 20 attached to the fixed base 7 b which forms the other support for the trough 11. This annular member is connected to a tapering conduit 21, or adjacent to a fan or suction creating device as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 which show a fan 22 driven in any suitable manner, such as by an electric motor or a belt passing over a pulley 23 connected to the fan. This fan creates a gentle suction throughout the entire. apparatus and also produces a gentle suction inwardly through all cracks and cient to carry larger particles, so that these crevices in the apparatus, such as joints belarger particles constantly fall back into the drums until they are further pulverized to the proper degree of fineness. The fan 22 may be placed at any desired altitude to the apparatus, and a sin le fan may, 1f desired be connected to a p urali'tyof pulverizlng machines. I

The rollers 5 form-in effectendless ralls on which the drums rotate and by which they are spaced and guided to maintain positive positions relative to each other. These independent rotatable comminuting drums each carry a weighted ball which 1s held by gravity against the annular concave, substantially semi-circular 1nner surface thereof, which, however, is of greater radius than the balls. The twisting, rubbing action of this weighted ball reduces the material in the drums to infinitesimal particles which will float in the air and are carried along by the slight suction created by the fan, but which suction is merely such that the particles which still retain any material weight will fall back into the last drum for still further reduction. The outlet to the fan preferably will be provided with battles to insure the return of the heavier particles to the apparatus, as shown in my co-pending application for collecting and separating apparatus, of even date herew1th, Serial No. 309,931.

The apparatus described enables any material to be reduced to a finely pulverized or powdered condition. It is of simple con-- struction and can be readily built, assembled and operated. The individual drum sections can be separately renewed or replaced when injured or worn, so that it is unnecessary to discard the entire machine. The material is gradually reduced by a series of crushing operations each of which reduces the material from one grade to a still finer grade. Therefore, by increasing the total number of drum sections the material can be ground as fine as possible. The machine also has a large capacity for its size.

I claim:

1. Grinding or pulverizing apparatus comprising a series of independent drums opening into each other, each drum having an annular inner surface concave in cross section, successive drums decreasing in size toward the outlet, a ball in each drum, and means for rotating said drums.

2. Grinding or pulverizing apparatus comprising a series of independent drums opening into each other, each drum having an annular inner surface concave in cross section, successive drums decreasing in size toward the outlet, a ball in each drum, and means for rotating said drums independently of each other other at different speeds.

3. Grinding or pulverizing apparatus comprising a series of independent drums opening into each other, each drum having an annular inner surface concave in cross section, successive drums decreasing in size toward the outlet and having their inner concave surfaces curved on successively decreasing radii, a ball in each drum, said balls in the several drums decreasing in size toward the outlet, and means for rotating said drums.

4. Grinding or pulverizing apparatus comprising a series of independent drums opening into each other and each provided with an annular inner surface concave in cross section, a ball in each drum of less radius than its concave surface and rolling on said surface, and. means. for independently rotating said drums.

5. Grinding or pulverizing apparatus comprising a series of independent drums opening into each other and each provided with an annular inner surface concave in cross section, successive drums decreasing in size toward the outlet and having their inner concave surfaces curved on successively de creasing radii, a ball in each drum of less radius than its concave surface and rolling on said surface, and means for independently rotating said drums.

6. Grinding or pulverizing apparatus comprising a series of rotating drums having large central openings forming communications between the drums, means for rotating said drums, a rolling weight in each drum. means for producing an air current through said drums from the inlet to the outlet ends thereof, a non-rotatable member at each end of the drum, and transverse bafile plates supported from said non-rotatable members and one located between each adjacent pair of drums for restricting the openings connecting the same.

7. Grinding or pnlverizing apparatus comprising a series of drums opening into each other, a rolling weight in each drum, means for rotating said drums, a series of transverse bafile plates one located between each pair of drums for restricting the openings connecting the same, and means for scraping material from the inner surface of a drum and delivering it to the next drum.

8. Grinding or pulverizing apparatus comprising a series of drums opening into each other. successive drums decreasing in size toward the outlet. each drum being provided with an annular gear thereon, said gears decreasing in size toward the outlet, a driving shaft, and a series of gears of different sizes thereon meshing with the gears on said drums for rotating the same at different speeds.

9. Grinding or pulverizing apparatus comprising a series of drums opening into each other, a rolling weight in each drum, means for rotating said drums independently, and means for scraping material from the inner surface of onedrum and delivering it to the next drum in the Series.

10. Grinding or pulverizing apparatus comprising a series of drums opening into each other, a rolling Weight in each drum, means for rotating said drums independently, a scraper arranged in each drum to dislodge material from the upper portion of its inner peripheral surface, and troughs 10 arranged to deliver the dislodged material to the next drum in the series.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

CHARLES EDWIN TETLEY;

Witness:

G. G. TRILL. 

